August 4, 2009

We recently began building new benches and will take one to the upcoming Illinois-Eastern Iowa District Convention along with specially prepared flyers at a display space we are purchasing. Proceeds from the sale of benches will be used to help pay members expenses to go to Kiwanis conventions and represent our club. We can even arrange for custom plaques for the benches that could honor individuals, businesses or organizations. Debbie thanked everyone for their help in building the benches.

Owen Thompson gave a status report on the Chandler Park playground project. We currently have older equipment in the northwest corner of Chandler Park downtown. The plan is to purchase and install new equipment in the northeast corner of the park. Owen said the equipment will cost about $24,000 and that includes the play area plus a swing set. We already have $10,000 and will need to raise an additional $14,000 from community donations. The city will prep the ground and a playground advisor will coordinate the installation. Owen says "nothing will be ordered until we have the money to pay for it. Hopefully, it can be done by Heritage Days next summer." The city did agree that it will be designated as the "Kiwanis Playground Area." Owen said we are proposing selling bricks that could include a donors name or be purchased in memory of someone. The bricks would go around the playground area. "A drinking fountain is not included in the price and that would be another $2,000" Owen reported. We'll have more details over the next few months. We plan to announce the project at an upcoming community event so people can see what we are proposing. Another related project regards the Chandler Park gazebo which was originally built with our help and support several years ago. During a meeting with the mayor, Owen says we were asked if we would consider repainting the gazebo that stands in the middle of the park. There are also plaques on there that need to be cleaned up and we will have a new one made. Lots to keep us busy but President Tim Moss says we have accomplished much considering the size of our membership and still make a positive impact on the community everyday.

Upcoming programs:

August 11 - We will be meeting at Wesley Village for dinner and a tour of their facility. No meeting at St. George's Church next week.

August 18 - Membership Drive Celebration Picnic at Tim Moss's house, 414 South Lafayette. Chicken and soft drinks will be ordered and members are asked to bring a dish to pass around.

Pat Stout wrote an article regarding the Young Children Priority One project spearheaded by Waneen Stout. Shown in the photo below are members of the club with representatives of Western Illinois Regional Council Victim Services along with Jeff and Corinne Jones who supplied the embroidery work on the bath towels.

Front row left to right: Diane Mayfield, Victim Services; Mary Haney; Waneen Stout; Corinne Jones; Debbie Vandemark. Back row left to right: Rebecca Chockley, Victim Services; Jeff Jones; Tim Moss; Amy Radosh Crosby, Victim Services; Patrick Stout.

Here's what Pat wrote:

Members of the Macomb and Industry Kiwanis clubs have joined with the Western Illinois Regional Council’s Victim Services Office to help meet the needs of abused women and their children in McDonough County.

The Kiwanis clubs have donated funds to provide baby care items, towels, washcloths, and books for nearly 40 women and about 30 infants and children. Members of the Macomb club—Waneen Stout, Mary Haney, and Debbie Vandemark—sewed hoods onto the towels for infants. Jeff Jones furnished embroidery of the Kiwanis logo on the bath towels.

The project fulfills a Kiwanis International emphasis, Young Children: Priority One. Working with the WIRC fulfills a goal of Illinois-Eastern Iowa District First Lady Pattie Heath for clubs to assist women and children in crisis.

A similar project with the WIRC in Warren County has been undertaken by the Monmouth Kiwanis Club. Nearly 15 women and about 20 infants and children are being served there.

The two Kiwanis clubs in Knox County, Galesburg and Abingdon, are making contributions to women and children in need through the agency Safe Harbor. Abingdon Club Secretary Carolyn Ray said the club has paid for food items and that women's clothing items are being donated on a regular basis. She said her club has posted flyers around the community about services through Safe Harbor.

Stout said she hopes the project in Macomb can be continued on an annual basis with the support of area churches and other individuals and organizations. For additional information on this project, Stout may be contacted at 309-259-0375.

President Tim Moss presided. Following the Pledge of Allegiance and the Kiwanis Pledge, John Moon led us in singing "Boost Kiwanis" and Chuck Nicholson boosted our spirts with the invocation.

Tim reminded us we're wrapping up the Membership Drive with a picnic at his house, at 414 S. Lafayette, August 18, instead of meeting at St. George's Church. He encouraged everyone to bring a side dish or snacks.

• Waneen Stout - Happy the YCPO project is completed.  She had another one for Mary Haney who had a cancerous growth removed.
• John Moon - Happy to honor his friend Don Mathis who had a birthday Monday. 
• Owen Thompson - Thanked Rick Bulger for his job in designing the bench flyer.
• Pat Stout - Happy to put in $3 for the work done by Mary, Waneen and Debbie on the YCPO project.  He had another dollar because today was his wedding anniversary.
• Mary Haney - Happy to wish a happy anniversary to Pat and Waneen and for sharing the day with her.
• Debbie Vandemark - Happy Mary had her growth removed OK and for all the projects that we have been involved with this year including the Kiwanis benches, the YCPO project and the Chandler Park playground improvements that are yet to come.  Also, the gazebo in Chandler Park that was built with the help of our club many years ago.  She's "proud to be a Kiwanian."
• Jeff Paisley - Happy to participate in the recent St. Jude run to Peoria.
• Jeff Elfrink - Happy to salute Hassan Espahbodi.
• Tim - Happy for all the support he has been getting from the members and from the community during his year as President. He said "we are challenged in many ways, but we do much with the members we do have."

The 50/50 Drawing was won by Pat Stout.  He donated his share to the clubs YCPO project.

The latest edition of the Illinois-Eastern Iowa District "Illeiowan" newsletter is now online.

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